Average Pet Insurance Rates (2021)
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Founder of Huntley Wealth & Insurance Services
Rachael Brennan has been working in the insurance industry since 2006 when she began working as a licensed insurance representative for 21st Century Insurance, during which time she earned her Property and Casualty license in all 50 states.
After several years she expanded her insurance expertise, earning her license in Health and AD&D insurance as well. She has worked for small health insu…
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Reviewed by
Rachael Brennan
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Nov 30, 2021
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Here’s the Scoop
When looking for cheap pet insurance, you’ll want to make sure the coverage you choose will help cover any expenses that your pet might need in the future, such as surgery, especially if your pet is prone to accidents
Different breeds will have different kinds of coverage and rates, especially breeds that are know for pre-existing conditions
Depending on which insurer you choose, you may qualify for additional discounts
When looking to answer the question: “how much does pet insurance cost?” you might be met with a lot of skepticism on whether or not you should insure your pet. Pet insurance is often seen as an unnecessary add-on, but it could potentially save you thousands in the long run.
Since it’s hard to predict the future of your pet’s health, it’s most likely in your best interest to insure your pet, even if it’s simply to cover annual wellness exams. The types of pet insurance you need will be based on your state and your unique circumstances.
Keep reading to find out more information on how much pet insurance costs and finding affordable pet insurance. Enter your ZIP code above into our free tool to start comparing pet insurances today.
How much is pet insurance?
Pet insurance costs will always be different regarding which animal you are choosing to cover. On average, most dog insurance costs less than cat insurance. This is due to several factors such as accidents, illnesses, and hereditary conditions.
Pet insurance companies will consider these factors and the breed of your animal when pricing your pet insurance rates.
The average rates for pet insurance are:
PetAccident / Illness CoverageAccident-only Coverage
DogsAnnual: $585.40
Monthly: $48.78Annual: $194.09
Monthly: $16.17
CatsAnnual: $349.93
Monthly: $29.16Annual: $126.08
Monthly: $10.51
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One of the biggest factors that will determine your cost of pet insurance is the coverage you choose.
Pet insurance policies are reimbursement-based, meaning you’ll have to pay upfront for your pet’s medical bills and submit a claim to the pet insurance company. You can typically choose a pet insurance deductible that ranges from $0 to $1,000.
Once you meet the deductible, coverage will kick in at the level outlined in the plan. You can typically choose reimbursement options of 70%, 80%, or 90% of the pet medical expenses that are covered by your plan.
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What does pet insurance cover?
There are several types of plans with differing levels of coverage.
TypeCoverage
Comprehensive pet planThis type of policy typically covers medical expenses for a wide range of problems including: accidents, illnesses, vaccinations, diagnostic tests, surgeries and treatments
Accident and illness coverageThis type of policy helps pay for vet bills for unexpected incidents, such as: sprains from accidents, poisonings and common illnesses such as ear infections; this might also cover expenses such as: lab tests, surgeries, hospitalization, prescription medications and emergency care
Accident-only coverageThis type of policy covers certain medical expenses if your pet suffers an accident; coverage might include: diagnostic tests, surgeries, X-rays, hospitalization, prescription medications and emergency care
Wellness planThis type of policy covers medical expenses for wellness exams and tests, flea and heartworm prevention, and vaccinations; some pet insurance companies won’t sell wellness coverage as an individual plan and will require you to also purchase a pet medical plan
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Some animal insurance companies might decline to cover chronic conditions or only offer coverage for pre-existing conditions if they’ve been taken care of. If your pet has suffered a previous illness or injury, or has a chronic condition, it could affect the price of your rates.
What are some of the cheapest pet insurances available?
Cheap pet insurance can range from as low as $9 a month all the way up to $240 a month. It will all depend on what kind of coverage you want and what type of animal and breed you own.
Here is a short breakdown of the average costs of pet insurance:
CompanyAverage cost for a DogAverage cost for a Cat
Healthy Paws$39.10/mo.$12.71/mo.
Trupanion
$63.61/mo.$28.06/mo.
Pets Best$18.80/mo.$11.13/mo.
Embrace Pet Insurance$24.16/mo.$11.65/mo.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance$32.21/mo.$18.41/mo.
PetFirst Pet Insurance $23.19/mo.$12.35/mo.
Figo$22.15/mo.$23.40/mo.
Nationwide$60.52/mo.$35.45/mo.
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These rates show the average amount for both pet insurance for dogs and pet insurance for cats.
According to NAPHIA’s State of the Industry Report, the average pet medical insurance rates for accident or illness policies for dogs are $594.15 and $341.81 for cats.
Policies with add-ons like spaying and neutering will usually end up costing you more. Pet insurance with a wellness benefit to cover routine veterinarian appointments for vaccinations or annual exams may be necessary.
All breeds do not cost the same to insure, so be aware before you choose your pet’s insurance. Some cost more than others because of hereditary conditions, such as hip dysplasia, diabetes, or cruciate ligament injuries. Mixed-breed pets are less prone to genetic conditions and cost less to insure than purebreds.
Is pet insurance worth it?
There’s no way to anticipate what will happen in the future — you can’t predict when or how your pets will get sick or how much it will cost. Since most pet owners pay out-of-pocket for these high costs, no matter how careful or responsible you can be as a pet owner, sometimes things come up unexpectedly.
If your pet comes down with an illness, or if your vet discovers something wrong during a regular wellness checkup, you can be liable for thousands.
Some pet insurance companies do offer a variety of discounts, such as discounts for insuring multiple pets or service dogs. There are also some discounts available for veterans and active-duty military members.
CompanyMultiple Pet DiscountMilitary DiscountAssistance Pet Discount
Healthy PawsXXX
TrupanionXX✓
Pets Best✓✓X
Embrace Pet Insurance✓✓X
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance✓XX
PetFirst Pet InsuranceXXX
Figo ✓XX
PetplanX✓X
Nationwide✓XX
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These discounts will always vary by circumstance and state.
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Average Pet Insurance Rates: The Bottom Line
Pet insurance rates will vary widely depending on a number of factors, including your location, the age of the pet, the breed, and prior health history.
But having pet health insurance means that you can likely afford the treatment for your animal to live their best life.
Now that you’ve learned how much does pet insurance cost, take the time to enter your ZIP code into our tool below and start comparing pet insurance quotes today.
